A42

M42 and A42

Bromsgrove to Kegworth

The M42 is a road of two parts, first forming part of the box of motorways surrounding Birmingham, and then striking off to the north-east as a major radial route towards Nottingham, the East Midlands and the north, turning into the A42 part-way there.

Routes

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A century of motorways

It's 100 years since the opening of the world's first motorway, the Autostrada from Milan to the Lakes.

Schrödinger’s speed limit

In 2022, Manchester City Council say they reduced the speed limit on the Mancunian Way to 30mph. But it’s not clear if they did. It’s not even clear if they can.

Sorry, wrong number

Road numbering is a system with clear rules. What happens when the people responsible for numbering roads don't follow them?

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EuroRoute

Today you can catch a train to France. You can even put your car on it, and be there in less than an hour. But in the 1980s, Euro Tunnel had competition - including plans to build a motorway across the English Channel.